3 things we learned from Gotham FC's 1-1 draw with Racing Louisville FC

In just the team's second home game of the NWSL regular season, NJ/NY Gotham FC came away with a point following a 1-1 draw with Racing Louisville FC. This was Louisville's fifth draw in six games as they remain one of three undefeated teams (with the Kansas City Current and the Orlando Pride being the other two) left in this 2024 season.

The game looked to be headed towards a scoreless draw until things exploded into life in the second half stoppage time as an initial goal from Louisville rookie Reilyn Turner in the 90th plus fifth minute was shortly then followed by Gotham debutant Rose Lavelle two minutes later.

Other notes from this game include Sinead Farrelly's return to action as she came on as an 89th-minute substitute to make her first appearance of the season, Emily Sonnett started her first game as a center-back after being used as a midfielder in every game so far this season, and Ann-Katrin Berger made her first start in goal after signing from Chelsea F.C. Women on April 19.

As always, there is plenty to talk about. Here are three things we learned from the 1-1 draw with Racing Louisville FC.

3 things we learned from Gotham's 1-1 draw

1. Rose Lavelle is a true gamechanger

When Gotham FC signed the Class of 2024, Rose Lavelle was perhaps the one people were most excited about. And why not, we saw what a peak of her powers Lavelle could do when she played for Seattle against Gotham in last season's NWSL Championship.

Whether it be for the USWNT, Seattle Reign FC, Manchester City Women's Football Club, or any of her previous stops in her career, anybody who has watched Lavelle play before can tell you about her very obvious qualify that's on display anytime she has the ball on her foot. That quality was very much on display today despite playing in a limited amount of minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 74th minute.

While Gotham did look their most dangerous on the attack today, it wasn't until Lavelle came on that the team looked like they were able to play in a truly smooth, cohesive, attacking manner with the midfielder ultimately making the difference in the end and salvaging a point for Gotham.

The sooner Lavelle is fit to start games the better for Gotham as she could be the X-Factor for this team's attack moving forward.

2. Gotham needs to dictate play on a more consistent basis

For what seemed like the first time this season, Gotham came out of the gates on the front foot. From the opening whistle until about the 30th minute, the Bats had the lion's share of chances, possession, and time spent in the attacking third. While it didn't result in a goal, it was a positive change compared to games earlier this season when they seemed too passive and allowed their opposition to really grow into the game.

This needs to be the approach for this team moving forward. Even with their extensive injury list, this team has the talent to take the initiative and force the opposition to play on Gotham's terms. Doing so should result in more goals and eventually wins.

3. Gotham FC must capitalize on big chances

Creating big chances is a good start, but capitalizing on and finishing them is the next step. There were a few instances where Gotham could have opened the scoring in the first half but they failed to capitalize on them.

While Louisville has had a good start to the year, there are more talented and better teams in NWSL that won't allow the kind of front-foot attacking play for prolonged periods that was seen from Gotham FC today. That is why when the chances do come in those bigger games (beginning with the North Carolina Courage next week) they need to convert them. It is never given that there will be chances later on.